Sept. 1, 2024
We Become What We Behold
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
September 1, 2024
Worship: 9:30 – 10:30
Fellowship Time: 10:30-12:00
We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection
as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim.
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We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body
of Christ, that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service.
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We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world
through our prophetic witness and action.
THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER
Beholding: Rest Is Productive
Prelude “Prayer” -arr. W. F. Ambrosia
Welcome & Announcements
Focus Statement:
In our task-mindedness, we forget that rest—ceasing from work and being still before the Lord—is not a luxury; rest is productive. We think it is a luxury to rest because we think everything depends on us. But all work, no matter how needed and useful, becomes anxious toiling if not fueled by our most-needed sustenance: rest in the Lord. And when we do, we will be reminded that God chooses to make His home with us when He invites us to abide in Him. Abiding is active—it’s a choice, and it doesn’t happen passively. It is a deliberate pursuit. If home is where the heart is, then what we love determines where we will be most steadfast. Abiding is loving Jesus above all else so that we find no other place to be than by His side.
Time of Meditation “My God and I” -arr. I. B. Sergei
Call To Worship Prayer: Psalm 84
Wherever you are, O Lord Almighty, beauty surrounds
you. My soul yearns, even feels faint when I sense the
presence of the Lord.
Our hearts, our very being cry out for the presence of the
Living Lord.
Even the birds of the air have found their home in you O Lord,
a source of comfort and safety where the young may be raised
in confidence.
Blessed are those who dwell in your presence, O Lord, for
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord and whose
hearts journey with the Lord, for even when they pass through
the dark times in life, the presence of the Lord will make it a
place and source of life.
Hear our prayers, O Lord God Almighty, and be our comfort
and safety. Let your Holy Spirit watch over us and guide us
to always walk in your presence.
Better is one day in your presence than a thousand
elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than live in comfort in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord our God is the light of the world and our
protection. The Lord bestows favor and honor for those who
walk in the presence of the Lord.
ALL: Blessed, O Lord, are those who trust in you. Amen.
Hymn of Gathering: HWB 5 There Is A Place of Quiet Rest
Prayers of the People
Scripture: Exodus 6:5-7
Hymn of Praise: HWB 544 When We Walk With the Lord
Becoming: Actively Abide
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42
Message: “From Barely Surviving to Spiritually Thriving as
We Truly Rest and Abide in God’s Presence”
Hymn of Response: Just A Closer Walk With Thee (bulletin)
(the offering will be brought forward)
Offering Prayer
Benediction: (based on John 15:9-17)
Leader: Christ sends us forth: Keep my commandments, abide in
my love.
People: We will go forth in peace and justice!
Leader: Love one another, go forth to serve:
People: We will go forth in love!
Leader: Share in my mission, bear fruit that will last:
People: We will go forth as your friends, rejoicing!
All: Let us go forth in peace to witness to our community and
world, that Christ is alive!
Sending Hymn: HWB 653 Abide With Me
Postlude “America” -arr. Samuel A. Ward
Sending Words:
Go now, and bear fruit for God, fruit that will last. As Christ
has loved you, so love one another, and abide always in God is
love, that your joy may be complete. And may God give you
all you ask for in Christ’s name; May Christ Jesus reveal to
you God’s ways and call you his friends; And may the Holy
Spirit confirm the truth within you and make your joy
complete.
People: We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the
name of Christ. Amen.
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Guest Minister: Darcy Miller
Worship Leader: April Shupe
Song Leader: April Shupe
Organist: Margaret Cheslock
Pianist: Shirley Homan
Usher: Monk Yoder
This Week:
o Schedule rest.
o Close your computer.
o Priortize heart over hustle.
o Leave blank space on the calendar,
o Sit still.
As we end this series:
o Ponder how has God kept you close to Himself.
o Describe your heavenly home to someone.
o Fight to abide.
o Look for His transforming grace, turning “everyday ordinary” into a holy place of becoming.
FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
Mission Project for September: TBA
Note: Harbor of Hope is in transition at this time, so we will not be
collecting anything for the month of September.
Canning For Relief for 2024 will happen in the Gerber Building in Kidron Monday October 14 thru Friday October 18. Because we will be limited to 10 hour work days daily start times may vary. With the potential to do up 32,000 pounds your help and support is needed. Call/Text Trent at 330-465-4191 and schedule a time to come.
THE CHURH GIVES THANKS
Sue Stauffer: Thank you for all the prayers this week.
CHURCH PRAYS FOR
Tabatha Murphy: Grandma’s cousin Vivian has passed away.
Sue Stauffer: We will be travelling for the next 3 weeks. Also keep Jim Cahill in your prayers as he goes through treatments.
THIS WEEK
Sept. 1st Happy Birthday, Jean Stevanus
Sept. 1st Happy Birthday, John Yoder
Sept. 2nd Happy Anniversary, Amy & Paul Stauffer-McNutt
Sept. 3rd Happy Birthday, Keutmy Phoutarath
Sept. 4th Happy Birthday, Dan Hostetler
NEXT WEEK
Text: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2:1-17
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Kristy Keim
Head Usher: Monk Yoder
LAST WEEK
ATTENDANCE: 20
OFFERING: $910
Change for a Dollar: $8
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy
Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822
Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com
Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org
Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681
CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Chairperson: Mike Keim
Office Contact: Linda Yoder
Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus
Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler
Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt
Ending Our Summer Series: Beholding and Becoming
As Ruth Chow Simons so aptly states in her book, Beholding and Becoming–the Art of Everyday Worship:
“You are in the process of becoming. Everyday is an
opportunity to be shaped and formed by what moves your
heart…drives your thoughts…captures your gaze. Is it any
wonder, then, that what you behold matters in your day-to
day?”
Our prayer and hope is that as we end our summer series, you have begun to see your everyday life a little differently–to see it as God sees it: an opportunity to demonstrate His love and His faithfulness in your life. The more we behold and treasure Him, the more we become like Him and see His purposes in our everyday life. May it be so as we journey on together!
~the Worship Committee
